Trump admin updates: Trump wants Senate to cancel August recess to work on nominees

Trump also suggested the Senate cancel long weekends.

Last Updated: July 20, 2025, 5:25 PM EDT

President Donald Trump continues to face backlash from his MAGA supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi "to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval" related to the case.

On Friday, Trump signed the GENIUS Act -- the first major federal cryptocurrency bill -- into law.

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Jul 19, 2025, 12:55 PM EDT

9 of 10 Americans freed from Venezuela back in US: Source

Nine of the 10 Americans freed from Venezuela in the latest swap are now back on U.S. soil, an official familiar with the matter told ABC News Saturday.

PHOTO: One of the 10 US citizens exchanged between the US government and the Venezuelan government waves a US flag upon arrival  at the San Oscar Romero International Airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, on July 18, 2025.
This handout released by El Salvador's presidency shows one of the 10 US citizens exchanged between the US government and the Venezuelan government waving a US flag upon arrival at the San Oscar Romero International Airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, on July 18, 2025.
El Salvador's Presidency Press Office via AFP via Getty Images

The remaining freed prisoner was a dual U.S.-Venezuelan citizen, according to the official.

-ABC News' Shannon Kingston

Jul 18, 2025, 10:37 PM EDT

Some ex-CECOT detainees from Venezuela could return to US, official says

The Trump administration says it will facilitate the return of former detainees of an El Salvador prison to the U.S. from Venezuela, if required by a court.

In a status report Friday night, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official said the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has made assurances it will not stand in the way if a former detainee is required to return to the U.S. The report was submitted hours after the Trump administration announced that more than 250 Venezuelan migrants were being released from the CECOT prison and returned to Venezuela as part of an exchange for American prisoners.

Prison officers stand guard a cell block at maximum security penitentiary Center for the Compulsory Housing of Terrorism, April 4, 2025 in Tecoluca, San Vicente, El Salvador.
Alex Pena/Getty Images

The declaration from the ICE official was filed in a case involving "Cristian", a 20-year-old migrant who was sent to CECOT in violation of a previous settlement agreement.

Referring to the negotiations over the release of the CECOT detainees, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Assistant Acting Director Mellissa Harper said: "As part of these negotiations, the United States obtained assurances from the Maduro regime that (1) If and when US legal proceedings reach a stage where the appearance of one of the 252 Venezuelan nationals formerly housed at CECOT may be called for in legal proceedings or required by a court, (2) If the US is prepared to facilitate the person’s travel to the United States for that purpose, the Maduro regime will not impose obstacles to the individual’s travel."

Despite Venezuela releasing U.S. prisoners in exchange, Harper said the decision to release the Venezuelans was “made solely by the government of El Salvador."

-ABC News' Laura Romero and Armando Garcia

Jul 18, 2025, 2:16 PM EDT

Powell defends Fed renovation plans amid White House criticism

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is defending against attacks from the Trump administration, which alleged he's mismanaged renovation of the Federal Reserve headquarters. Trump has suggested it could be cause to oust the head of the nation's central bank.

Powell sent a letter on Thursday to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in response to their request for information. Powell wrote that officials at the agency "take seriously the responsibility to be good stewards of public resources."

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testifies during a U.S. House Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee hearing on coronavirus crisis, on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 22, 2021.
Graeme Jennings/Pool via Reuters

Powell also argued that they have "taken great care to ensure the project is carefully overseen" since it began in 2017. Powell said that oversight has included budget approval and oversight from board members and oversight from independent inspectors general, including a 2021 independent audit of the project. In responses to the administration's issue of the cost, Powell also laid out how large "in scope" the renovations on the building are, noting that the structure was constructed in the 1930s and that it's the first "comprehensive renovation" of both of the Fed's buildings.

Powell also responded to some of the questions about the project from the Trump administration -- though he was quick to challenge their characterizations of the renovations. For example, OMB Director Russ Vought asked about plans for "private dining rooms" and a "private elevator to the dining suite." Powell responded by saying that there are "no VIP dining rooms" and "no special, private, or VIP elevators."

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Jul 18, 2025, 10:02 AM EDT

Trump calls Fed's Powell 'one of my worst appointments'

President Donald Trump on Friday again lashed out at Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, calling on him to lower the interest rate.

Trump wrote in a social media post that the Fed is "choking out the housing market with their high rate, making it difficult for people, especially the young, to buy a house."

Trump called Powell "truly one of my worst appointments" and criticized former President Joe Biden for extending his term.

"And the Fed Board has done nothing to stop this "numbskull" from hurting so many people. In many ways the Board is equally to blame!"

Donald Trump looks on on the day he signs the HALT Fentanyl Act, in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., July 16, 2025.
Umit Bektas/Reuters

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

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